Annie

Believe it or not, I kind of feel sorry for Beaver Nation. I mean, things were going along pretty well, they'd just completed the $160 million renovations on the stadium (and those renovations looked impressive on the TV news stories I saw), and then, wham, suddenly the PAC-12 was reduced to the PAC-2. Trying to regroup and find enough teams to play in the coming years must be a nightmare. Yes, I understand that there are beav fans who, in their frustration, are lashing out at Oregon. And that's not going to accomplish anything for them. But, even though I look forward to seeing the Ducks in the B1G, I can't help but feel sad about the dissolution of a conference that has been around for 100 or however many years. I can't help feel sad for the players who, when they signed on with OSU, were excited and looking forward to playing there. I hope ourOSU will find a way to keep afloat, find enough good opponents to draw in fans, and find success (except, of course, when they play the Ducks).

Yes, he looked comfortable. It was good to see.

Oregon's guard Peyton Scott was injured in November and is out for the season, so that's probably part of the problem.

I don't think it matters what conference a team is in, going undefeated is never easy. That said, I don't think Lanning or the players are overlooking Liberty. Go Ducks!

As Major Hoople used to say: EGAD!

And my grand-kitty, who visited today, and loved sleeping on a soft blanket right across from the warmth of the fireplace.

Have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas...

Haven't experienced any of those issues, Charles, but then I visit the forum through my desktop computer, so maybe that's why? (Knock on wood.)

Mews, who won't even let me put a collar on him. (Fortunately, he is chipped, and an indoor-only cat.)

1976 was the year I saw my first college football game, and it was the last game of the season, against the beavs, of course. Oregon won, and I was hooked on football! I remember being able to sit almost anywhere--although the "gold seats" were closely guarded. People could use umbrellas. People could smoke anywhere in Autzen (boo!). No problem finding space to tailgate with the neighbors. Games all started at 1:00 pm and ended by 4:00. The rare win was greatly celebrated--except by those who spent the game sitting on their hands, never cheering a first down or a touchdown, but always had plenty to yell about after a play yielding a loss of yards. I always wondered why those fellows bothered to attend. It was great fun, but, of course, winning make the game a whole lot more fun.

The Toilet Bowl? The year (1995?) the Ducks beat the beavs 12-0--all field goals?

Where they have Bevo steaks!

So much has changed over the years (and I'm a person who is not fond of change). I go back so far that I can remember going to football practices! Not just in the spring or fall camp, but even during the season. Getting to know, and even talk to, the coaches and the players. We didn't overdo it, but we could chat with them at times. Players, for the most part, stayed 4, or even 5, years. And I think life-long friendships among players were formed. I remember one time that a senior player, in the last home game of the season, asked the coaches if his friend, who never got to play, could fill in for him on one of the special-team situations. The coaches said yes, and that player was thrilled with his short, once only time in the game. On the one hand, I miss those days. On the other hand, the Ducks are in a much higher football realm in recent years--playing for conference championships, going to major bowl games, even playing in The championship game. It's exciting, it's fun to watch, and I'd guess that the players from years past would love to be playing at that level as much as I enjoy watching current players playing at that level.

While I tend not to be a basher, I can understand the various criticisms still being made about some other previous Duck coaches. But to some extent, I also see Fentress's point. Helfrich did lead Oregon to two national championship games. He did develop Mariota, etc. And more importantly, IMHO, Helfrich didn't ditch the Ducks. He was an Oregon guy, through and through, and a good man to boot. For that and more, I remember him fondly. As for some of the other previous head coaches, well, I'll just stick with my philosophy of being polite.

I love the "quote" from Babe!

Oops! Mea culpa!

I seem to remember one of the Duck players, probably a RB, say after the game, "Run the d@mn ball!"

Spoiler alert for anyone who might want to catch it later: Western Kentucky came from being down 28-0 to Old Dominion, to tying 35-35 in the waning moments of regulation, to winning 38-35 in overtime! That is why I at least check out as many bowl games as I can--you never know which ones are going to be exciting.

Is that Nick from Young and the Restless???

Preface: The music is not my cup of tea, but: I still believe. When Lanning first came here, he talked about watering the bamboo. Water the bamboo for five years, then watch it suddenly rocket to the skies. I think the Ducks are heading toward that goal, and maybe even sooner than five years.

Kind of hard to determine the accuracy of a rumor from 2 years ago.

Looking forward to seeing Bo, Bucky, Brandon, and all the other Ducks who will be playing!

I'm interested in the Fiesta Bowl, because I'm interested in the Duck players.

I'm a little surprised at those mock drafts--I had just been assuming Bo would go in the first round. Personally, I think late in the first round could be good. A player will still get plenty of money, and will end up on a team with a better record.